DULUTH -- Gwinnett Medical Center's bariatric center this week received exclusive accreditation.GMC-Duluth received a top-level national accreditation for its Center for Surgical Weight Management. The American College of Surgeons certified the facility as a Level 1 center after it met certain criteria and institutional performance measures.

Only about 15 locations in Georgia received fully accredited status, a GMC news release said.

"Our surgeon and staff strive to help our patients achieve the best outcomes possible and ultimately meet their health goals," GMC-Duluth president Lea Bay said. "This accreditation affirms our commitment to quality and best practices."

The facility offers resources for care of morbidly obese patients, including pre- and post-surgery. It was recently renovated and offers services such as support groups, life coaching classes, cooking classes, nutritional classes and a clothing exchange closet.

The accreditation confirms that a bariatric surgery center has undergone verification that experienced bariatric surgeons compare the its structure, process and quality of data against strict guidelines.

Medicare coverage is limited to procedures in facilities that are certified by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

"With this accreditation, our patients know they will receive the very best bariatric care and support available here in Duluth," said Bariatric Program Manager Debra Proulx.